Canada’s Mr. Baseball was back in his familiar spot inside the Blue Jays’ TV booth Tuesday night, the start of a six-game home stand for the surging team.
Buck Martinez, who has been a staple of the club’s broadcasts for more than 30 years, made his long-awaited return as analyst after he took a leave of absence in April following a cancer diagnosis.
The baseball lifer simply known as Buck has served as both a play-by-play voice and colour commentator for the Jays.
Martinez played for the team and managed the club before entering the broadcast business.
Fans at Rogers Centre showed their support with signs that read “Welcome Back Buck’’ with a heart next to his name.
After Jays starter Jose Berrios recorded the final out in the top half of the second inning, the Jays acknowledged Buck’s return with the words “Welcome back Buck Martinez’’ on the videotron.
Players came out of the dugout and removed their hats as they looked toward the booth behind home plate.
The crowd then stood in unison and began its applause.
A smiling Buck waved from his perch as he absorbed the warmth shown to him.
Well before opening pitch, Blue Jays players and interim manager John Schneider welcomed Martinez, 73, back to the ballpark by forming an impromptu receiving line by home plate.
“We were all hoping this day would come this year, but we had to wait and see how his treatment was going and how he was feeling,” play-by-play man Dan Shulman said.
“It’s awesome. He’s been in Toronto as part of the franchise for the better part of 40 years. It’s great to see him back.”
The Buck and Dan tandem is one of the best broadcasting duos in baseball.
Shulman added how Martinez would stay connected with the club by watching every game during his recovery.
In fact, according to Shulman, Martinez would send text messages to the play-by-play man and fellow broadcaster Pat Tabler by sharing his analysis of the club.
At last Tuesday’s all-star game in L.A., Vladimir Guerrero Jr. paid tribute to Martinez and Blue Jays studio host Jamie Campbell, who is battling leukemia, during the “Stand Up To Cancer” moment.
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